Prevention of ischemic stroke after TIA: medical or surgical treatment? A review of the main trials

Abstract

The importance of adequate preventive treatment of ischemic stroke in patients who have previously suffered one or more transitory ischaemic attacks is undisputed. How to implement it is, however, still open to discussion. The choice is essentially between medical therapy with anti-clotting drugs, that using platelet inhibition drugs and endarterectomy. Here the data from the most important trials in various Countries are collected and analysed for better definition of the indications and results of the various treatments.